16/06/2026
One in five hires go wrong. According to SEEK research, the average cost of a bad hire to a small business is around $20,000, once you factor in the financial impact plus the cost of recruiting and training a replacement. Across NZ, that adds up to an estimated $911 million a year.
The good news is that most bad hires aren't bad luck. They come down to the start of the process. Job ads get rushed, criteria stay vague, and the result is the wrong candidates apply while the right ones scroll past.
Here's the fix. Before your next job ad goes up, take 20 minutes and get clear on three things:
1️⃣ What does success in this role actually look like after 90 days? Hire with a view to what you need them to be achieving for you and your busienss by the end of their trial period.
2️⃣ What are the two or three non-negotiable skills, versus the nice-to-haves? Focus on what you really need, not what nice on someones CV.
3️⃣ Who else needs to be involved in the interview process besides you? A colleague, business partner, or advisor could offer valuable insight that avoids a bad decision.
That's it. No cost, no consultants, just clarity before you hit publish on the ad. It's 20 minutes that could save you $20,000.
